Prince Harry plans expedition to the South Pole

Prince Harry has told the Walking With the Wounded charity he wants to join a
group of injured servicemen on their race to the South Pole

Prince Harry with the Walking with the Wounded team on the island of SpitsbergenPhoto: PA

By Tim Walker

7:30AM BST 25 Jun 2012

Prince Harry vented his frustration last month after a team of injured servicemen were forced to call off their attempt to climb Everest because the mountain had become a death trap in the warmest spring on record. Still, the wounded heroes can now take consolation in the fact that the Prince plans to join them on their next expedition.

Edward Parker, a co-founder of the Walking With The Wounded charity, tells Mandrake that the Prince has already talked to him about the servicemen’s race to the South Pole. “He would love to do it — he’s told us so,” Parker says.

“He’s a 26-year-old bloke who loves adventures, and the core of what he is is a soldier. He considers himself to be one of them, and they consider him to be one of them, too.” The ambitious expedition will take place next year and will involve around a dozen injured servicemen, racing in teams.

“That element of competition will give it an extra edge,” says Parker. “We just have to wait and see now if the Prince’s military and royal commitments would allow it.

“If he is able to show his support for the wounded, then he will undoubtedly do so. It’s very close to his heart.”

The Prince, pictured, joined the servicemen for four days last year on their successful trip to the North Pole. “I think for me, personally, I’m hugely proud to be a British soldier, to walk alongside these guys,” he said at the time.

“What these guys have done — and what they will continue to do throughout their lives — is just truly inspirational.”